Rich Girl Caretaker Vol. 8 Chapter 1

 The Student Council

After school.

Helping Hinako, who was still spaced out, had slowly helped me get my own motivation back. I was just stuffing my textbooks into my bag, ready to head home.

"Ah, Tomonari-kun, are you free?"

Fukushima-sensei called out to me.

I was confused, but I walked over to the lectern.

"Is something wrong?"

"Sorry, could you do me a favor and deliver these documents to the other homeroom teachers?"

She handed me a stack of papers.

"I can... but..."

My expression must have clearly read, "Why me?" because Fukushima-sensei chuckled.

"If you're going to join the student council, you should start building up your reputation with the teachers, too."

I see. My intention to join the student council had spread without me realizing it. Then again, I had been bringing it up in conversation with classmates, so it wasn't surprising the teachers had heard.

I glanced back and met Hinako's eyes. She gave me a nod. I'd just have to ask her to wait.

"Understood."

I took the documents and left the classroom.

As Fukushima-sensei said, if I was running in the election, the teachers' impression of me was vital. I should probably start steadily building up that kind of goodwill.

...This isn't just a simple errand, right?

I decided not to think about it.

◆

Kiou Academy's second year has six classes, A through F. My and Hinako's class, 2-A, is on the second floor, along with 2-B and 2-C. I decided to go to the closest one, 2-B, first.

(...Calm down.)

For... various reasons... it was currently very difficult for me to set foot in Class 2-B.

I took a deep breath, calmed myself completely, and then stepped inside.

"Excuse me."

A few people looked up. Our class has gym with 2-B, so I recognized a few faces. Some nodded, and I nodded back as I walked to the lectern.

"I'm here to drop off these documents."

"Oh my, thank you."

The teacher for 2-B was a mature woman. Where Fukushima-sensei had the feel of a small animal, she had a calm, composed, and intellectual air.

"You're Tomonari-kun, correct?"

"Huh? Yes..."

"It's nothing. Thank you for your hard work."

She was probably just matching my name to my face, but she stared at me intently before letting it go.

Next was C-Class. I tried to walk straight out the door, doing my best not to look around, but—

"...Ah."

"...Ah."

In that split second, I glanced into the classroom. And just like that, our eyes met.

—Narika.

She was the reason I'd found it so hard to come in here.

I remembered our conversation after the tournament perfectly. I couldn't forget it. I can still clearly recall that clumsy, heartfelt gesture... what it felt like on my cheek.

—Because the one who told me to just go all out—was you, Itsuki!!

She had shouted that, her face bright red, and then—she ran.

...Because she just ran off, I had no idea what kind of face to make when I saw her again. I'd worried about it all night and found no answer. To be honest, I was sleep-deprived today, which was the real reason I was so out of it. I understood Narika's feelings, but I was still uselessly trying to sort out my own.

So, right now, my expression was probably incredibly stiff.

But Narika, seeing me, looked around for a second as if she was troubled... and then, shyly, gave me a smile that was like a blooming flower.

"!"

That one smile said more than a thousand words.

I hurried out of the classroom, trying to hide my pounding heart.

"M-Miyakojima-san... smiled... a gentle smile!"

"Idiot, she smiles at least once every three days now!"

I heard the chatter from the 2-B students behind me. Not long ago, I would have heard that and just smiled, thinking, That's Narika for you.

But now, I didn't have the mental capacity for that. The space Narika occupied in my heart had just become that much heavier.

(...Get a grip.)

Next was C-Class. I waited for my heart to calm down before walking in.

"Excuse me."

I rarely came to 2-C, but I wasn't a total stranger. This was the class of that girl with the golden ringlets... Tennouji-san.

"My, Itsuki-kun, what brings you here?"

Tennouji-san spotted me before the teacher did. She paused her conversation with her friends and walked over.

"Fukushima-sensei asked me to bring these documents to your homeroom teacher."

"Documents?... Oh, I see. Well, considering you're the only candidate from your class, Fukushima-sensei is being quite clever."

What did that mean?

I didn't get it. Tennouji-san turned to the teacher at the lectern and called out—

"Sensei! Someone's here with documents!"

She announced this in a ringing voice. I had to hand it to her; she had zero hesitation about shouting in a classroom.

The 2-C teacher stopped his work and looked up. I walked to the lectern with Tennouji-san and handed him the papers.

"Oh, my. Sorry to have you bring this all the way over."

The 2-C teacher was a tall, slender man. He was thin, but not weak, and his neat jacket gave him a refined, scholarly air.

"This is Tomonari Itsuki-kun, from Class A."

"Yes, I'm aware. He's rather famous, after all."

Tennouji-san had introduced me, but it seems he already knew who I was.

"By the way, he wants to join the student council, just like I do."

"Is that so... Ah, wait, I believe I have heard that."

"His strength is his straightforward, ambitious spirit. One look at his track record makes that perfectly clear—"

Wait... is Tennouji-san... promoting me right now?

I met her gaze, and she winked. With the election coming up, she must be trying to boost my image with the teachers. She's incredibly reliable.

Of course, I would have stopped her if she started exaggerating, but her sales pitch was just as straightforward as she was—no embellishments.

The 2-C teacher, after listening, looked at Tennouji-san with a warm gaze.

"In short, I understand you've taken quite a liking to Tomonari-kun."

"Th-That's not it at all!"

Tennouji-san protested, her face bright red.

Well, I guess it can't be helped if he thinks that... I left with a wry smile.

Alright, just D, E, and F left. They were all on the third floor. Since they were on a different level, I barely knew anyone from those classes.

Just as I was about to head up the stairs...

"...Hm?"

I felt someone watching me and turned around. I could have sworn someone was just behind me... but there was no one there.

Maybe I'm just getting self-conscious because so many people know who I am now. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I climbed the stairs.

I delivered the documents to the teachers for 2-D and 2-E. Finally, 2-F.

I didn't have any acquaintances in D or E, but I knew one person in F. Since I was here, I figured I'd say hello. I scanned the room and noticed a guy looking at me.

It was Ikuno, the guy who ran WEDDING·NEEDS in the tournament. He saw me and came right over.

"Tomonari-kun, what brings you here?"

"I'm dropping these documents off for your teacher."

"You're as helpful as ever."

"It's nothing, really."

We laughed and chatted for a moment. During the tournament, Ikuno had been more than just an important partner; he was the one I'd entrusted my company to. That trust had lasted, and he probably felt the same way. We'd become good friends.

"Sensei, you have a visitor."

Ikuno and I walked over to the 2-F teacher.

"Oh, if it isn't Tomonari-kun. What's up?"

The 2-F teacher was a burly man. True to his appearance, he was a PE teacher. His developed muscles and neat buzz cut gave him the impression of a cheerful athlete.

"Fukushima-sensei asked me to drop these off... You know me?"

"Of course I do. You made a huge splash in the Management Tournament."

So, the tournament really was the reason my reputation had grown. All that hard work had paid off, though it was hard to say it was my skill alone.

I handed the documents to the teacher and stepped away.

"Well, Ikuno-kun, I'll see you later."

"Okay... Tomonari-kun, if you're ever in trouble, please don't hesitate to tell me."

"...I appreciate that, but you don't need to treat what happened in the tournament like some kind of life debt."

"I must. Thanks to you, I was able to genuinely enjoy the Management Tournament for what it was."

He'd mentioned before that when he started the tournament, he was just blindly following his parents' instructions. To move our negotiations forward, I'd asked him to think about what he actually wanted to do. As a result, it seems I'd become the "benefactor" who'd "saved" him, and he was deeply grateful. But he'd helped me a lot, too, so it always felt a bit awkward.

(...Ikuno really has the air of a standard Kiou Academy guy.)

Hanging out with Taisho sometimes makes me forget, but this is what most of the male students here are like. Ikuno is especially polite, though. Maybe it's because he's the heir to a wedding company that values etiquette? Talking with him always reminds me that I'm a student here, too.

I left 2-F and headed back toward 2-A, where Hinako was waiting. On the way... I again felt someone watching me and turned.

"Oh."

This time, I saw her.

It was a female student I didn't know. She was on the tall side, with long, straight black hair. She had a mature air, and her eyes held a strong sense of will.

"Uh... have you been following me?"

"Hm. Busted."

The student admitted, smiling nonchalantly.

"Tomonari Itsuki-kun, could you come with me?"

"Come with you... where?"

"You'll know soon enough."

With that, she turned and started walking.

I had no idea what was going on, but I followed. Did she have something important to discuss that she couldn't talk about in the hallway?

"And you are...?"

"You can ask about me when we get there."

She said, facing forward.

"Tomonari-kun, you want to be a student council officer, right?"

"That's my plan."

So the news had even reached people I've never met...

I was a little surprised. She smiled.

"Good. In that case, I'll grant you the right to enter this room."

She stopped walking. We'd arrived. In front of us was a set of double doors. I read the nameplate to see where we were.

"This is..."

"Come on in. The other members are already here."

I was ushered inside.

The room was about the size of a classroom, but with fewer chairs. A large table sat in the center, flanked by two large leather sofas, with another desk set by the window. The furniture was high-end, and the carpet was thick and expensive. It felt like a cross between a VIP lounge and an office.

And sitting on the sofas were people I knew.

"Huh? Everyone..."

Hinako, Tennouji-san, Narika, Taisho, Asahi... all the members of what some students called the 'Noble Tea Party' were gathered.

"Knew you'd be called here!"

"Well, of course. Since we were,"

Asahi and Taisho said, understanding immediately.

"Tomonari Itsuki-kun, please have a seat on that sofa."

I did as I was told, sitting down next to Hinako.

...I was starting to understand. Considering the room's name, and the reason we'd all be gathered, I could finally guess the identity of the girl I'd been meaning to ask about.

The student who had led me here sat in the chair by the window and, looking like she was enjoying this, spoke.

"Welcome to the Student Council Room. I'm Maki Minato, the current Student Council President of Kiou Academy."

◆

As I sat on the sofa, a cup of tea was quietly placed in front of me. The person who served it was another unfamiliar female student, likely a current member of the student council.

I took a sip of the tea.

"In one week, our school will enter the student council officer election period."

Minato-san began to explain.

"I'm sure you all know this. After all, Tomonari-kun just did the customary rounds."

"Rounds...?"

I didn't do that... Just as I was feeling puzzled, Tennouji-san spoke up.

"To ensure the election activities go smoothly, candidates discreetly pay their respects to the class teachers before the period officially begins. Traditionally, this is done by delivering documents."

"I see..."

"It's not necessary if a candidate is already well-known, but Fukushima-sensei must have decided you needed to do it."

Fukushima-sensei... thank you. I'm sorry I suspected it was just a simple errand.

"In any case, once the election period starts, candidates get very busy, right? That's why we bring in students who are interested in the council beforehand for a quick chat. And we also have a favor to ask of the candidates."

I was curious about the favor, but I already had a good idea why we'd been summoned. Of the group here, the three of us—me, Narika, and Tennouji-san—all planned to be candidates. Minato-san clearly knew this. She likely figured the rest of the 'Noble Tea Party' might also be interested, so she called all of us.

It was a bit late to realize, but the female student who led me here was a third-year senpai. Maybe I should call her Minato-senpai, not Minato-san. No, as president, it should be President Minato.

She sat in the president's chair by the window with a commanding aura. It was impossible to believe there was only a one-year age gap between us. It was the same feeling I got from Takuma-san or Kagen-san.

President Minato must have sensed my nervousness, because she smiled gently.

"You don't need to be so tense. This is just a meet-and-greet, not an interrogation. As the current president, I'm just curious about who the next officers might be."

If someone is tense, it just makes the atmosphere more rigid. And sometimes, being nervous can even be rude. I deliberately rolled my neck and relaxed my shoulders, silently signaling to the president that I was at ease.

President Minato smiled and said:

"Well then, let's start by hearing what positions you're aiming for, and your resolve."

The first to react to this was Tennouji-san.

"I am Mirei Tennouji of Class 2-C. I intend to become student council president."

She continued.

"When I am president, I will make this a school where everyone can live their lives openly and proudly."

"Openly and proudly... yes, that's good. It's a refreshing vision."

"Aren't you going to ask for my concrete plan?"

"Didn't I say this was just a meet-and-greet? Save that for the actual election."

Tennouji-san looked like she already had specific policies in mind, but after hearing what President Minato said, she silently pressed her lips together. A school where everyone can live openly and proudly... I could only form a vague image, but it sounded like an environment where everyone could be comfortable.

Next, it was Narika's turn to speak.

"I am Narika Miyakojima from Class 2-B... I also want to be student council president."

Narika's speaking had improved a lot, but even so, she was still a little nervous in this situation. Her voice trembled slightly.

"To be honest, I don't know what my vision is yet... but I want to create an environment where people can change themselves."

"Hm... Was the catalyst your own change?"

Narika's eyes widened for a split second, as if to say, "How did you know?" However, she immediately composed herself and said:

"Just as you say, President."

President Minato nodded at Narika's affirmation, looking satisfied.

"I already told Tennouji-san, it's fine if you don't have a concrete vision yet. You just finished the Management Tournament; I'm sure you haven't had time to think."

Narika's part was over. Finally, it was my turn.

"I'm Itsuki Tomonari from Class 2-A."

The position I was aiming for was—

"I want to be vice president."

At this, President Minato's pupils twitched slightly.

Was this outside her expectations? Still, this was the conclusion I'd come to after careful thought.

"I don't know if this counts as a vision... but my future goal is to be a management consultant. That being the case, the role I should be seeking isn't the one on the front lines, but the one that supports the leader from their side."

"I see. If you think of Kiou Academy as a company, the student council president is indeed the CEO."

If I became president, I couldn't act like a consultant. Besides, if I'm being honest, I don't have the confidence to be president in the first place...

"Personally, I think it would be more interesting if you ran for president."

President Minato said suddenly.

"It's because, like you, I also started from my own business in the Management Tournament. I feel a sense of kinship with you."

"...I see."

"Although, in my case, it was just following my family's policy."

Family... Come to think of it, what does President Minato's family do? She must have sensed my question, because she added:

"Have you heard of the Rakuou Group? That's my family's."

Of course I'd heard of it— The Rakuou Group, Inc. is a massive, nationally-known enterprise, primarily in internet services. They have companies in everything from communications and finance to sports, where they own a professional baseball team. They have a shorter history than the Konohana Group or the Tennouji Family, but they've grown to their current status in the blink of an eye through aggressive M&A. Their management skill is extraordinary.

President Minato said she felt a 'kinship' with me, but hearing that just made me realize the difference between us. President Minato must have deliberately chosen to start from scratch in the tournament to prepare herself to lead that massive, well-run group. Her background was completely different from mine. Even if we did the same thing, the responsibilities we carried were on a different level.

"...I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't want to be president."

"Hm. That's a shame."

I wonder how much of that she actually means... That relaxed, composed attitude... it felt vaguely familiar, like someone else I knew...

"Are you three the only candidates? Konohana-san, Asahi-san, Taisho-kun, what about you?"

President Minato looked at Hinako and the others. Faced with the question of whether the other three wanted to be student council officers, Asahi spoke first.

"Ah, I'll pass. Um... after the Management Tournament, I found something I really want to do."

She said, looking apologetic.

"Same for me. I want to try and make what we did in the game a reality..."

Taisho added. However, Asahi-san, upon hearing this, her eyes widened, and she said:

"Wait, are you also going to do...?"

"Asahi, you too...?"

They looked at each other and said, in unison: "Mobile home appliance sales..." They said at the exact same time.

"—Right!? It's too good of an idea to just leave in the game!"

"—Exactly!! And I've been wanting to improve our packing materials in real life anyway! Now that it worked in the game, I want to patent it!"

Asahi and Taisho were fired up, completely in sync. President Minato watched them, a knowing look on her face.

"I see, I see. So you want to focus on your family businesses."

"Yes!"

Asahi and Taisho said in unison.

"That's excellent. The tournament is a simulation, after all. The goal is to apply what you've learned. You've achieved that and found something to be passionate about. I fully support you."

Asahi and Taisho nodded, beaming. Afterward, Asahi looked at me.

"Just so you know, we'll be dragging you into this. Please be ready. But, you know, after we get things prepared."

"Got it."

I was the one who proposed the mobile home appliance business in the first place, so I had no problem. Besides, the fact that they still wanted me involved showed how much they trusted me, which was an honor. The Management Tournament was a virtual world, but the trust built there didn't end with the game. Come to think of it, the Management Tournament was a major turning point for me.

"And Konohana-san?"

President Minato looked at Hinako.

"I must also decline. It seems things are about to get busy with my family."

"...Are you sure? I know I shouldn't say this, but many people were hoping you'd join the council."

As expected, the president was trying to persuade Hinako. Despite this, Hinako just shook her head.

"I'm sorry. I really have difficulties..."

"...I see. Then I won't force you. Many students have to decline for the same reason. It's a shame, but it's expected."

The students of Kiou Academy are all confined by the massive cage of their family businesses. Even if they're popular, it seems they often can't join the student council. ...Well, in Hinako's case, she just doesn't want to do it. She's a naturally lazy girl. Of course she doesn't want to join. Kagen-san had given his permission for this, too. He'd calculated the risk of her mask slipping versus the reward of maintaining her perfect ojou-sama image, and concluded it wasn't worth forcing his daughter.

"Alright, that's it for the meet-and-greet. Sorry to call you all in so suddenly after school."

President Minato bowed her head.

"Are we the only ones who want to join?"

"No, there are others. But if we let the competition get too heated before the election period, you'll burn out by the time it matters. We also don't want the council to be seen as fanning the flames. So, we're meeting with candidates in small groups. To be honest, I was worried about calling Tennouji-san and Miyakojima-san at the same time, but I heard you two are close, so I made an exception."

"...We appreciate your consideration."

"Right. I suggest you save the rivalry for the election period."

Even though Tennouji-san loves to compete, staying that fired up from now until the election would be exhausting. I felt the president's consideration made sense.

"And now, it's time for my request."

President Minato said. Right, she said at the beginning she had a favor to ask.

"From now until the election period begins, we'd like you to agree to be interviewed by us."

"Interviewed...?"

Narika tilted her head in confusion.

"It's a special event for this election... We're calling it the 'Peeking into the Candidates' Daily Lives Unit'!"

The content is probably exactly what it sounds like...

"In previous years, candidates just handed out flyers with their vision. I don't think that's enough. So, for this election, I'm thinking of interviewing the candidates about their daily lives and publishing it as a report for the student body."

The content was exactly what it sounded like, but it seemed to be based on her own experience.

"You all thought about it during the tournament, right? 'Can I trust this company?' or things like that... If you just look at a mission statement, you'll always have doubts. That's why I want you to show your daily lives as they are."

This meant she wanted to introduce the candidates' private lives, not just their official platforms. It's like how vegetables in the supermarket sometimes have pictures of the farmer who grew them. I understand that feeling of, for some reason, being reassured when you see those photos. The principle is probably similar.

"...Well, Tomonari-kun probably doesn't need it."

She said this as if she could see right through my heart. She was right—I didn't need this. I could read a document... just the words... and get a good sense of whether they were lying. I could decide based on that alone. However, that was only when I was the one voting. This time, I'm on the other side... the one asking for trust. Even if I don't need it, if others do, then we should do it. But, setting that aside...

(...Why does the president know about me?)

She seemed to know my movements in the tournament, but was that enough to know my specialty?

"By the way, the student council will be handling the interviews and editing. We'll be following you for several days. Please be as cooperative as possible."

After the president said this, the student council members who had been standing by the window, including the girl who served the tea, all bowed toward us. Hearing "interview," I would have expected the newspaper club, but Kiou Academy doesn't have clubs, so the student council members handle it themselves.

"Is it just weekdays?"

"Hm, that's a good question."

President Minato pointed at Tennouji-san and said:

"We'll have a weekend report, too. But I don't want to invade your privacy. For the weekends, I'll just ask you to write your own, like a diary."

If it's just writing a diary, the burden on us will be lighter. Me, Tennouji-san, and Narika glanced at each other and nodded.

"Understood."

Seeing me nod and reply, President Minato smiled, pleased.

"Great! Then you're dismissed for today. We'll begin our interviews tomorrow. I hope you're all good, honest people."

The president finished with a cheerful smile.

◆

After we were dismissed, I walked out the school gate and got into the Konohana family car.

"Good work today."

Shizune-san, in the passenger seat, said to me. I nodded to her and the driver.

"Thank you both."

Hinako was sitting next to me, looking drowsy.

"...Itsuki."

"Hm?"

"What's going on... with you and Miyakojima-san?"

Hinako asked with pure curiosity. I didn't know how to answer.

"Uh... why do you ask?"

"The atmosphere between you... just seemed a little awkward."

I had been consciously avoiding eye contact with Narika in the student council room. I thought I'd been subtle, but Hinako had noticed.

"...It's not a big deal. You don't need to worry about it."

"Oh... okay."

But it is a big deal... If this awkwardness continued, frankly, it was going to be exhausting. I had to resolve things with Narika.

(...I really do need to give her an answer, don't I?)

She did kiss my cheek. I'd have to be an idiot not to understand her feelings. On the other hand... what did I feel? I was shocked when it happened. I'm calmer now, but when I think back on it, my mind still goes blank. I'd assumed that coming to Kiou Academy meant romance was off the table for a while. Maybe that's why I'm panicking so much. Maybe I should take a page from Hinako's book... Should I read some shoujo manga to build up my romance resistance?

"Itsuki-san, you seem troubled."

Shizune-san said, watching me through the rearview mirror.

"...Um, the student council is going to start interviewing me, and I'm not sure what to do."

The thing with Narika wasn't something I could easily discuss, so I deflected. In response, Shizune-san just said "Hm," in understanding.

"I heard about the interviews from Ojou-sama. Wouldn't it be best to just act as you normally do?"

"Like I normally do?"

"You're not the same as when you first became a caretaker. You seem to be living more comfortably at Kiou Academy now... Since you have the chance, why not just relax for a bit and experience a quiet, everyday life?"

Relax...? According to Yuri, that's something I'm not good at.

"I... agree."

Hinako, who had been listening to our conversation, chimed in.

"You've changed a lot... and you've been so busy. You should enjoy school life before the election starts... Huaah."

Hinako let out a yawn. Come to think of it, the Management Tournament started almost immediately after the second semester began. Including summer break, it's been over two months since we've had a "normal" school life. And in another week, I'll be busy with the election.

(This is the only time I'll have to relax...)

Tennouji-san also told me not to be so uptight. If I'm too stressed, my perspective will narrow.

"...You're right. I'll try to just relax until the election period starts."

This was a perfect opportunity. I'll just try to re-experience my normal daily life... while being interviewed.

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